Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has given a full update on the future of midfielder Tanguy Ndombele amid big interest from Tottenham Hotspur and other top European sides.

The Champions League finalists are believed to be leading the pack to sign the 22-year-old France international, who in turn is understood to be keen on a move to the north London club and Aulas has now admitted the player does want to leave the Ligue 1 side.

Lyon announced on Tuesday that they have signed Flamengo's Jean Lucas, a 21-year-old defensive midfielder, for eight million euros with Aulas having previously said that when the club signed such a player it meant Ndombele was likely to go.

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"It would have to be very substantial offers to advance with Tanguy , who would prefer to leave," Aulas is reported by French football writer Jeremy Smith as saying in the press conference.

"If he left - which isn't the case today - we would look to recruit someone with experience. For the moment nothing has happened, but the door is ajar.

Tanguy Ndombele (Image: Angelo Blankespoor/Soccrates/Getty Images)

"If Ndombele left, we have players to target and Thiago Mendes is one of them. Ndombele is pragmatic - he hasn't said "I must leave tomorrow". He is being chased by big clubs and when they come you have to listen. I haven't spoken to him since his international duty."

He added: "No, there is no end date for Ndombele is leave. I shouldn't say it, but we don't need to raise money before 30 June when we have to present our accounts. If he wants to stay, he's very welcome to."

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